North East Ambulance Service winter warning for drivers
They are urging us to take care while driving in bad weather this winter to help keep pressure off their services.
Last updated 1st May 2025
The North East Ambulance Service are urging us to take care while driving in bad weather this winter to help keep pressure off their services.
The team, who are already coping with high demand, say being called out to preventable accidents on icy roads can take them away from others in need.
They want to remind people in more rural areas that bad weather can mean it takes longer for ambulances to reach them on a country road.
New research from what3words shows that Brits aren’t adequately preparing for drives during the winter. Nearly half (47%) of UK adults don’t feel comfortable driving in the dark, yet 68% fail to check their headlights and brake lights before getting behind the wheel – which is particularly dangerous when visibility is low. In fact, 50% of UK drivers check their vehicle’s essential safety features less than once a month, and nearly 1 in 10 (7%) admit they never check their vehicle’s safety features at all.
The research also shows that around 40% of UK adults would not feel confident describing their location to 999 if they were stranded in rural or poorly addressed areas like forests (40%), highlands (39%), and country lanes (32%). Additionally, around 1 in 5 (17%) would struggle to describe their location along a motorway or A-road, and a quarter (24%) would not be able to pinpoint their whereabouts on a B-road.
In the same vein, Brits aren’t preparing for outdoor activities during the winter either – while 45% do dress in warm clothes, less than 1 in 5 (19%) wear high-visibility gear, and almost 80% don’t inform anyone of where they are going.
As many will be driving to festive events and enjoying outdoor activities over the festive period, emergency services across the country are encouraging Brits to be prepared this winter.
Stuart Holliday, from the NEAS, said: "If you're driving somewhere make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and by that, I mean simple things like making sure you've got enough washer fluid, making sure that your tyres are appropriate and they're not all worn down, making sure that if on those cold mornings when everything is frosted over that you really take time to properly clear your windows.
"The important thing is, particularly if you're out and about in areas you don't know or if you're on long journeys and you may be on isolated roads, is our ability to find you quickly. So, if you can download the ‘what 3 words’ app that can help us to pinpoint your exact location and get the help that you need as quickly as possible.
"Always let people know where you're going, whether you're driving or walking. Let them know your estimated time of arrival so they know whether to get worried about you or not."